On Wednesday 9th July, I did a day's work for Fairfax Digital. It was a nice day's work, the people were nice and the co-workers were nice, too (although the Agency I worked through needs a wake-up call) but I haven't been paid for it yet.
The first curious part was when I was when I didn't get return phone-calls after having the assignment confirmed. This happened 3-4 times, specifically when I needed to supply further details to the Agency. I called into the Agency's offices for a confirmed meeting which the Agent did not attend, and paperwork (ie: the contract) which I was to be given to sign (according to the Agent) was not passed on. Then, I had a copy of the contract emailed to me, which had multiple typos and did not reflect the terms of the contract at all (the contract was for 3+ days, whereas the employer would advise on the Friday whether there was continuing work the following week). Not only were there typos (of my name as well), but the contract stated 2 days work only. I called about that and was assured that a new copy would be delivered to me at the place of the assignment, on the first day. It didn't happen, nor were there any calls to explain why, nor to arrange delivery of the contract.
On the afternoon of the assignment, we were advised that we had finished the assignment much earlier than the employer expected and that we weren't required for the rest of the week (it was only moving people and PCs from one desk to another throughout an office of about 200+). Now that's not an issue, but I must admit that I was somewhat peeved that a 3+ day contract had been mislabelled in the document emailed as 2 days, and then became only 1 day because of our efficiency (kind of a backhanded compliment ;) - still, it happens, abd in the grand scheme of things it's no big concern). However, this is when the real drama began. Having filled in all the paperwork requested, except for the contract which still hadn't arrived, I checked on when they pay would go through. I was told it would be the following fortnight. When I advised the Agent that I wasn't advised of the pay-period, I was told that it was stated in the contract (which I had not yet received nor obviously signed). (One can understand the irritation starting to build here). Regardless, even though I needed the money, I decided to suck it up and simply wait for the payment to come through on the following fortnight. After all, it's not too long, I'm really not that unreasonable, and I had the confirmation of a new contract, so things were looking up. For the record, there was an initial problem with some of my details, which caused me to change being a PAYE to a PAYG in this instance. So, I will happily wear a day's delay in this situation. However the actual day in which the delay happened was not critical to the timely resolution of the continuing problem.
On the following Wednesday (a week later), I was advised early in the afternoon, by phone call, that the Agency still had not received 2 pieces of documentation which they required... and that these were a TFD (Tax-File Declaration form) and a signed copy of the Contract (which, if you recall, I still hadn't received). In fact, the Agent was advising me that if they didn't receive the TFD that very morning (or maybe they could stretch it to that afternoon), that I could not be paid this coming fortnight. (Note: This was the Wednesday, 3 days into the week, a week after the assignment had completed and the very day that the form was required. I'm not sure why the Agent didn't advise me of this form being required on Monday or Tuesday when I could have even personally delivered it). So, with some phone calls (remember that Post Offices do not carry TFD forms and not all newsagents do, either) I actually managed to acquire a TFD by 4pm, as I was on my new contract by now and couldn't just wander off) and I grabbed an Express envelope which I got to Strawberry Hills Post Office Express Post Lodgement - a Yellow Express Post Box) before 5:30pm (deadline was 6pm). Also note: I still hadn't received a copy of the Contract, which I had told the Agent. They said they'd get onto it, but that I needed to get the TFD to the Agency by (absolute latest) Thursday (the next) morning, so I made sure that I lodged the Express Post Envelope before 5:30pm.
Come the following morning, Thursday, I called Aust Post and confirmed that the Express Post Envelope had been delivered that morning to the Agency address in the CBD. So, I was relatively happy that I had done everything humanly possible, and had met the required 'deadlines' as imposed by the Agent. Note: still no Contract had been delivered at this time.
Fast forward to this week - Wednesday (2 weeks after the assignment) - the Contract arrived 3 days ago (in the mail, which I received on the evening of the 22nd of this month - 2 weeks after the assignment had been performed). So, I dutifully read, signed both copies (kept one), and sent the other off in the reply-paid envelope supplied by the Agent's Assistant, who seems to be a lovely person and seems to be performing their job under what I can only perceive as trying circumstances.
Two days later, Friday, payday, today. No money from the Agency in the account for the assignment.
So, I call the Agency, I speak to the Agent's assistant who says that the TFD wasn't received in time. I speak to the Agent, who also says the TFD wasn't received in time. I re-check with Aust Post, and the Express Post Envelope was indeed delivered on time. To me, this is sounding more and more like the Agent is either covering-one's-rear for mistakes made, or almost like they are doing this on purpose. So, allegedly, the money doesn't go into my account until next fortnight, or (*if* it can be arranged) by cheque this afternoon. (If that happens I will get signed over and cashed.) The Agent says he will call me back, but I have heard that from him before, as noted above, and have had to all them almost every step of the way in this most painful process.
I have seldom dealt with an Agent (which I will not name for Professional reasons) of such ineptitude. I expect to never work with them again, simply because I have legitimately questioned why information has not been given in a timely manner, why things have been delayed and/or taken so long. In my Professional opinion, I seem to have shown this Agent to be (at best) completely unsuitable for this profession, they are late with forms, do not call back when they say they will, have to be chased for resolutions, delay supplying time-critical information and paperwork, and seems to be uncaring as to the results of this behaviour.
I'd like to hope that I am not overreacting, my second-guessing part says that I might be... but waiting a month for payment for a day's work, when most of the delays are the responsibility of the Agency, seems somewhat excessive to me.
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